In her final blog post, the actress — who lives in California with her fiancé, yoga instructorKent Katich, and their 18-month-old daughter, Luna Marie — shares her breastfeeding journey: the ups, the downs, the joys and the difficulties.

Click below to read Constance’s last blog!

Ladies – OMG! Your stories crack me up and make me cringe at the same time! THANK YOU for sharing! Now I don’t feel so bad knowing that poop catastrophes are just a normal part of life.

Just so you know, my breastfeeding journey is looooong, so let me apologize in advance for the length of this blog, but since it is my last one I hope you will indulge me.

When I started this whole baby process, I wasn’t totally gung-ho on the whole breastfeeding thing. I had done my research and learned that most doctors say it’s the best choice for babies. Breastfeeding provides much-needed immunity support, cuts down on ear infections, obesity and supposedly helps with higher IQs. It seems more natural and of course, it’s cheaper! I also heard it was good for the mother’s health and helped a woman get her body back faster.

But I had also heard stories about how sometimes a woman’s body just doesn’t make enough milk. How some babies don’t latch on or even worse, they bite. Scabby nipples and I quote, “Such pain that it makes your toes curl!” So I thought, “I will just do my best! I’m tough but who knows, maybe I am not that tough?”

My pre-pregnant self thought the concept of a breastfeeding class was ridiculous! Right? How hard could it be? Ya see a hungry baby, pop the boob in its mouth, done! THE END!

But my pregnant self? Different story! I took every class I could find. I knew I would be scared, hormonal, overwhelmed and everything else that comes with a new baby. A friend once told me that when you are scared, prepare! Because if you are prepared, it makes you feel less afraid — so that’s what I did.

In our breastfeeding class — Yes, Kent went too! I needed back up — learned about taking cues from the baby, like how to know when he/she was hungry, what signs to look for, etc. Honestly, I learned A LOT.

They showed us a video of a baby lying on its mother’s chest immediately after birth. After a few minutes, the baby literally started scooting towards the breast! I kid you not! I was fascinated. This baby could actually smell the milk and was aiming for the nipple! I also learned that that is why our nipples get darker during pregnancy — to provide contrast so the baby can see it! Like a bullseye! Who knew?

Cut to right after Luna Marie was born. They put her on my chest for that wonderful skin on skin time that helps them feel safe and bonded. There she lay so sweet, warm and vulnerable, brand spanking new to the world.

That’s when I decided — I would not immediately put the boob in her mouth. I wanted to see if she would “cue” that she wanted it, like the baby the video. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t going to wait too long or starve her. Duh! I just wanted to see if she really wanted to nurse.

After a few minutes I was amazed. Ever so slowly, she started to root around, made a little grunting noise and moved towards my boob! (I knew my baby was a genius! Ha!) So I let her do it — I allowed her the time to slowly make her way. When she was pretty close, I helped her the last little bit, but she opened up her little mouth and CHOMP! She latched onto me like a little barnacle!

At that moment I realized nursing was a primal, natural thing that wasn’t so much my decision as it was a natural process. It was Luna Marie’s instinct so I would do my best to honor that.

In new mom amazement, I was watching her nursing sweetly when I smelt it. She had pooped on me! I guess she was mad that I made her walk to the boob. Thus was the beginning of our beautiful relationship!

For me, the whole breastfeeding process didn’t go perfectly — believe me! While still in the hospital my nipples really started to hurt and my milk didn’t come in fast enough. Luna Marie was losing too much weight and I was told I had to supplement with formula. I was really sad — I thought I had failed. I felt I didn’t even get a good chance to try. I wanted what was best for her, and I knew that if she needed more than I could give, she should have formula. My ego had to be put aside.

The next day while walking down the hall, I noticed there were breastpumps lined up outside all the patient doors. What was going on? Then a nurse filled me in — all the other mothers were pumping to get their breast milk to come in faster. Eureka!

Now I had a plan — I would become a pumping machine!

My milk came in faster, but I still had to work at it. I hired a doula (a really smart woman to coach a new mom) who helped me come up with a nursing schedule. I know that most women don’t have to do all that, but as an actor I live with the prospect of having to go back to work immediately if a new project comes up, so I needed the structure — and more milk — stat!

The first few weeks, Luna Marie was a clamping, chomping, non-stop nursing baby! I kid you not, 20-30 minutes on each boob! I had to literally pry her mouth open at the end of every feeding. I started to feel that all I ever did was sit in a chair, nurse her and eat — I felt like the frickin’ dairy queen!

I admit that I got a little depressed, but at her doctor’s visits she was gaining weight like a champion — 7 oz. the first week and 17 oz. the next. I was proud and it gave me a new sense of mommy strength. Other good news — even though I was eating more, my body was getting thinner as she nursed! I actually felt my uterus contract and maybe even my butt too. That made me feel better — she was gaining, I was losing. PERFECT!

Plus, my boobs were HUGE! I had a holistic boob job! In my business that is never a bad thing.

Luna Marie and Kent – Courtesy Constance Marie

After a few weeks, I was more or less a pro. I had learned to love nursing her. Luna Marie was on a schedule nursing every three hours and mostly sleeping through the night! I could start to get some sleep and get my life back.

And so went our lovely breastfeeding journey. At the three month mark — my original goal — I thought, “Well, so far so good — why not keep going?” By now it was super easy and I could nurse anywhere. Then at six months, all was still good and she looked so cute while nursing, so I just kept going. I kept it up for about nine months without much problem. Then at a doctor’s visit I learned Luna Marie wasn’t gaining as much as she should be.

Once again my boobies were not cooperating. Crap! Seriously, why don’t these things come with gauges so we can see how much milk is coming out?! That’s when I realized: I was really into this! I had become very pro-breastfeeding. I loved the bonding time, she was never sick and it seemed so unbelievably natural and easy! By now, I was a junkie!

So I went to the pros at The Pump Station and signed up for boobie boot camp — that means I worked with Corky, the lactation consultant. I took every supplement and herb possible! Drank beer, ate more calories per day (yum!) and after nursing Luna Marie five times a day, I would pump “the lechitas” each time!

Every night while Kent and the baby slept, there I was downstairs at 1:30 a.m. Alone in the cold dark kitchen, strapped to that noisy pump like a sad lonely cow, I’d watch re-runs of Will & Grace while listening to the whoosh-whoosh of that machine echoing in the night. I know it sounds like a lot, but sometimes I can be extreme!

All my friends said, “Constance! You have done enough. Luna Marie will be fine!” Kent said the same! Actually, they were begging me to stop. They were tired of me obsessing over boobies and milk! But I just wasn’t ready. The only ones I had to listen to were my boobs. They laid down the law and I couldn’t argue anymore. At 10 months I had to start supplementing with formula. After two months of boobie boot camp, I had to admit it was out of my control … AND I WAS EXHAUSTED!

Then it hit me — I was done.

I went through such a weird sadness, thinking of the loss of this special time Luna Marie and I had. No one else could do this for her. I even thought, “Will she still love me?” I know — RIDICULOUS, right? But I’m an actress, I love being dramatic!

Then came “no boobie day.” I was all worried and had prepared for Luna Marie to be fussy and boycott the bottle. But guess who didn’t even notice?! She clamped right on and guzzled it so fast, it was no problemo! Luna Marie was ready. She was fine — and so was I. She showed me how to not to be so extreme and instead just adapt. I’m learning so much about myself from this little girl.

1) I learned that MY BOOBS ARE AMAZING! I have always looked at them as just okay — less than average, ya know? But now when I look down, I think, “WOW! These girls are powerful!” I’m finally proud of them! Now I get what they’re for.

2) I learned that as moms, we work very hard! We balance being everything to everyone — we always go that extra mile when we don’t want to, even if it makes us crazy! We always do the best we can. Even though we do this, we will NEVER feel like it’s enough or perfect! Nor should we! We have to accept our shortcomings and still love ourselves because that is how we teach our children to do the same — by example. Lord knows the world will beat them up enough.

So there! I will wrap up my last blog by saying THANK YOU for visiting with me each week! I’ve read your comments and truly have come to appreciate you all. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get to all the topics — I really did try! — but remember I am not perfect. (Ha!)

I also have a few new projects for you guys to check out! 1) I’m part of a crazy funny breastfeeding PSA with some other celebrity moms. Click here to view the video (there will be a new one each week) and join the boob-alution! 2) My new TV movie, Class, will premiere on Saturday, Aug. 14 at 9 p.m. on the Hallmark Channel. It’s a sweet love story where I get to play a bossy professor! Please tune in if you can.

I will continue blogging on my very own newly-designed Web site, ConstanceMarie.net, so please come visit, check it out, make your comments and let me know what you think! 🙂

I love your blog, Constance. It’s nice to hear a breastfeeding story from the side of someone who, like me, had issues sometimes.

Emily
on August 4th, 2010

ive always been a fan of yours since selena and of course george lopez! but now i look up to you in a whole new way, youve convinced me to try cloth diapers IF i decide to have another baby and i really enjoyed reading your blogs! your breastfeeding experience mirrored mine as well, i found myself becoming strangly “pro-breastfeeding” when im really not a pushy kind of person. i find myself trying to convince all of my friends and/or anyone who will listen to breastfeed!

Lis
on August 4th, 2010

Great blog! I love breastfeeding too, but also went through the “my boobs aren’t producing enough milk” dilemma. My baby nursed exclusively for the first 8 weeks and then I went back to work two days a week, and didn’t empty out my breasts completely and ended up with mastitis 😦 Ever since then, my boobs haven’t been the same. I had to start supplementing with formula. I went through the same sadness and guilt, feeling like I wasn’t good enough and that I let my baby down. But my mom reminded me that what I was doing was great and that a little bit of formula won’t hurt! And what’s most important was that my son was getting the nutrition he needed 🙂 Needless to say, I am still nursing at 5 1/2 months, but he does get a couple bottles a day too. Nobody really says that you can do both. You feel like you need to do all or none. I’ve learning a lot and feel better prepared for my next baby!

miche
on August 4th, 2010

Great blog! Thanks so much. I nursed my daughter exclusively for 2 months, then had to go to back to work. I nursed morning and night and then pumped all day at the office so that she would have milk the next day at homecare. She only had breastmilk her first 7 months of life. Then two weeks later, my boobs gave out and I could only get 1oz of milk when I pumped. Herbs didn’t help. I was afraid she would starve, but that night, after she refused to nurse all day, we tried some formula and she sucked it down with no problem. It was over before I was ready, but since she was happy, so was I. And very relieved that I didnt’ have to pump at work anymore!

Ashley
on August 4th, 2010

Your blog is by far one of the best I have ever read. It’s full of tips, humor, questions, and it’s so entertaining. I’ll definitely be checking out your website for more. Thanks for teaching us so much and sharing the precious pictures of your baby girl!

Heike
on August 4th, 2010

Constance,
thank you very much for your great blog! I’ve read it since the beginning every week and was looking forward to the next. Although I’ve got no children (yet) I find your writings very inspiring and they got me thinking about a lot. Thanks also for sharing those wonderful pictures of little Luna!
Take care

Julie
on August 4th, 2010

“Better than Gisele who just talks about how everyone should breastfeed and it always works if you try, which is not true.”

You totally made that up. She did not say that.

She said women should breastfeed, which is true. She was generalizing. Of COURSE there are women for whom it’s not that simple, and women for whom it’s simply not possible, and perhaps her statement could have been more sensitive to that fact, but it was a generally accurate (if not entirely tactful) thing to say. I don’t think it was intended to judge women who couldn’t. It’s just that every statement out of someone’s mouth can’t include every group of people / possibility.

Regardless, I just wanted to point out that that’s not what she said.

Megs
on August 4th, 2010

It’s nice to hear that not everybody has an easy time with nursing. I had twins and wanted to nurse them, but I couldn’t nurse on my left side. So I nursed, supplemented with formula, and then pumped every time. I would be up for almost 24 hours at a time. Finally my lactation consultant told me that if I was too tired, I wouldn’t produce enough milk. So I started pumping 8x a day. I took that pump everywhere with me: to work, on vacation, to friends’ houses. I have pumped in bathrooms in the Chicago, DC, Madison, LA airports. We had to throw out all the food in the freezer to make room for the breast milk. From 2 weeks old to 13 months, my twins had exclusive breast milk, from a bottle. We didn’t use formula again, but I would have in a minute if that’s what my kids needed. Moms know what’s right for their kids, and shouldn’t be shamed into doing anything.

Jamie
on August 4th, 2010

It was a lot of work, but I got through 4 months of breastfeeding. It took me weeks to get to even 4oz, and my saving grace was the Supplemental Nursing System. I am convinced it was the only reason I was able to breastfeed for even 4 months. By using the SNS, I was able to get the bond & benefits of breastfeeding, and my son was well fed on a combination of breast milk and formula. I was disappointed though, because I found the SNS myself. The doctors, nurses, lactation specialists…they either didn’t know or didn’t think to tell me about it. If hospitals had the SNS, then moms who were adamant about breastfeeding (like us) wouldn’t have to supplement with a bottle. I tell every mom I know about the SNS now. And I won’t forget it the next time I have a baby.

Billie
on August 4th, 2010

Thank you for addressing the ‘my boobs didn’t work anymore!’ I’m only at the 3 month mark and would like to breastfeed for a year but just returned to work and this is the moment I fear. I pump when he eats but I know one day it could just be gone! Thank God for the huge freezer stash!

And I laughed at the pump ‘woosh woosh’, oh boy is that sound forever engrained in my head!

Luna
on August 4th, 2010

I’m going to miss your blogs so much. I felt like everything I was going through or went through, you talked about. And you didn’t hold back. None of this beating around the bush nonsense. Each of my kids had a different breast feeding experience, but they all (5) breastfed until they were at least 5 1/2- 6 months old, and I had twins! Good for you for making it work.

Monie
on August 4th, 2010

I love your blogs and have always enjoyed watching you on TV! 🙂

We have so much in common from our pregnancy journys and our daughters! My daughter is 15 now and so far we have made it!
I felt like I had to force her to nurse and she was a big, hungry baby who needed to be supplemented with formula right away. I never gave up and soon nursing was easy. When she was 9 months old she was too busy and nosy to want to nurse well so I started to wean her to a bottle. My lactation consultant would ask me to bring Mimi to her classes so mom’s could see how breast milk could make such a happy and fluffy baby. My son was much easier and I nursed him until he was 14 months old. My daughter slept through the night at 6 weeks (12-6am).
He didn’t until he was 9 months old. I loved it so much and was so happy that I could nourish my babies so easily and naturally. I was lucky not to ever have any infections or serious problems.

Thank you for sharing with us! I bookmarked your new site!
All the best to you & your family!

Kitty
on August 4th, 2010

Thank you for your wonderful blogs! I have enjoyed each one. I am a breastfeeding junkie myself having breastfed my daughter for 20 months successfully. I went back to work full-time when she was 2 months old and continued to pump 3 x a day at work for the next 10 months. I stopped pumping at 1 year but continued to breastfeed until she was 20 months old.

We have a huge bond that I can only attribute to our breastfeeding relationship. She is super healthy and has never been sick. She still loves the boobs for comfort (she cusps them and smells them ! It sounds weird but it’s actually very endearing to watch) but she no longer latches on.

Breastfeeding was hard but it was a sacrifice I made for my child. I wouldn’t change any of the experiences (good or bad) for anything. I plan on having a second child soon and will most definitely breastfeed again! AND because of your wonderful cloth diapering experiences, I think I might just cloth diaper my second!

Thanks again and I will follow your blogs on your website!

Diana
on August 4th, 2010

Good for Constance! I am so glad that people like her and Gisele Bundchen are pushing for moms to breastfeed. I have 4 children, 1 formula fed baby and 3 babies who nursed just past the year marker (and no..it’s never easy! Trust me I work full-time and dealt with mastitis, hospitalized baby, not producing enough milk,etc.). My 3 nursed babies have never had an antibiotic in their lives and 2 of them are now school aged. My formula baby now 15 was sick alot more frequently than any of my other three and given antibiotics when he did get sick. There is a lot to be said for nursing!

Diana
on August 4th, 2010

Constance, I have so enjoyed reading your blogs! I too went through a period of guilt and sadness when I wasn’t producing enough milk for my baby. When I was pregnant I just assumed that I would be able to breastfeed exclusively. It was such a let down when I realized that I had to supplement with formula. I too tried all the supplements and suggestions made by the lactation consultant and, while they did help, I still ended up having to give my baby formula. While this was hard to accept, I knew that I was doing the right thing for my baby by giving her formula. You’re right, we as mothers try to do everything for everybody and be “superwomen” but we can’t be all the time. We have to accept life’s little surprises and roll with the punches. Love the picture of Luna Marie in the pool! She is so beautiful!

Lara
on August 4th, 2010

Thank you so much for this post – it’s reassuring, funny, and informative. I’m due to give birth to my first baby next month. I plan on breastfeeding, but I am anxious that it will be difficult or that I won’t have enough milk. Also I have to go back to work after 12 weeks so I’m wondering how I will fit pumping into my schedule. I’m taking a breastfeeding class with my husband in a couple weeks – after reading this, now I’m really looking forward to that. The most amazing thing is that your daughter found the breast on her own, what a beautiful story!

Andrea
on August 4th, 2010

I had the same experience at the hospital. My baby was born and immediately started rooting around for the breast. I was so relieved because my first son had colic and would scream while at my breast. 2 weeks into breastfeeding, my nipples were so sore and my son was cluster feeding. I thought to myself “if I were going to give up, this would be the time”. But I did not give up! Gradually cluster feeding abated and we were on a good schedule and i started to love breastfeeding more than I ever thought I would. When my son started to ween himself at 10 months, I was depressed but he was eating quite well and still gaining weight so i knew he was ready. It was our last child and that made it even harder to give up that bonding time but it was a natural process.

Megan
on August 4th, 2010

No! You can’t leave! Your blogs are by far my favorite- they are funny and down to earth. I’ll be so sad to see you go and I’m sure I’ll go back and read all your blogs again. Good luck as you continue being a great mom to adorable Luna! Just one thing though: you never told us by Luna was a vegetarian and I think that would be a good story and give info to those of us who are wondering for our own kids.

Jeannette
on August 4th, 2010

I never comment on blogs but I wanted to say a big Thank you. I am currently a breastfeeding monther of a 5 month old who also finds herself alone in the kitchen at night pumping trying to make enough milk for my little girl. I’ve taken every herb and medicine under the sun and feel guilty even thinking about quitting. It is great to hear that I am not alone. Thank you.

JO
on August 4th, 2010

Great blog post! It’s wonderful to hear a story from start to finish because even for the most pro-breastfeeding moms, there are many ups and downs! I was able to exclusively breastfeed my soon for a year and my daughter for just about nine months while working. She had to use a little bit of formula for my daughter and it was pretty upsetting to me. But I got over it and she did fine. The KEY to pumping while working, or pumping period, is a pumping band (google it!). It allows you to pump hands free and makes the entire experience much less inconvenient! Good luck to all the working, nursing moms out there. It’s tough but worth it!!!

LT
on August 4th, 2010

Thank you for posting about your breastfeeding adventures. I just reached 6 months exclusive breastfeeding my son and I HAVE NEVER BEEN PROUDER of anything in my life. I, too, had challenges and wanted to give up so many times. But I stuck with it and plan to continue as long as I have milk and he wants to nurse. I appreciate you talking openly about breastfeeding- the more mainstream it becomes, the more woman will feel empowered to give it a try!

Megan
on August 4th, 2010

Wow, I should have read the blog before I commmented! Ignore my previous comment. You did touch on a lot of great topics and gave us lots of fun info! Thanks for giving us a peek into your life!

Liz
on August 4th, 2010

I’ve enjoyed all your blogs but this one was the best. It’s great to hear that even celeb moms have difficulty with breast feeding. I had problems with both of my kids-my daughter wanted nothing to do with it and apparently the dairy did not want to open either! I was hell bent on breast feeding my son, who was more than interested…and a little over zealous. Kid you not, the boy almost forked my nipple at two days old and I had to be rushed back to the hospital. The lactation nurses were so shocked that he could do that at such a young age that they let me use a hospital grade pump until i healed. I couldn’t nurse him all the time…that is if i wanted to continue having nipples, so I pumped and pumped and pumped. I did great for two months until his doc doubled his feedings and then I couldn’t keep up. I ended up taking every frickin supplement known to man, eating oatmeal (gag), drinking teas. etc., but my dairy closed by 4 1/2 months. With both kids I struggled with feelings of guilt and disappointment and kept thinking I was a horrible mom because if we were stranded someone, I couldn’t even feed my own child. But then I realized I did the best I could and they are thriving, healthy and happy babies. I’m no Gisele, I’m no supermom, I’m not a dairy cow, and I certainly have not acquired a washboard stomach post-baby (not like I had one before). I am, however, a great mom who does everything and anything I can to give my kids the best…and so are you! Thanks for all the blogs girl!

Christine
on August 4th, 2010

Constance I loved reading your blogs every week. I am sad to see you stop writing for People but I will definitely be reading them on your new website.

emily
on August 4th, 2010

i’m at 15 weeks of breastfeeding now. i had to start supplementing one bottle a day with formula and i felt truly bad about it. my husband keeps assuring me that if only 1/6 of my son’s food is not my breastmilk, i’m doing a good job.
your story helped me to remember that i am powerful and strong for doing the BEST that i could!

lisa
on August 4th, 2010

What a fabulous post to read. My daughter is just about 8 months old, I returned to work in March and have been pumping ever since to give her BM bottle at daycare and nurse her while I’m home. The past couple of weeks I’ve been getting less at each pump and have really been struggling with the idea that I might have to stop nursing and that I have failed her because I might not reach my goal of a year. Everyone around me is telling me to be proud of giving her breast milk for 8 months and that she will be fine. I know these are both true but yet I can’t help feeling disappointed and sad.

I also have to laugh at the picture of you pumping at 1:30 AM. I do one evening pump as well to help with the supply and I hate every second of it but yet I will not give it up.

This blog just came at a perfect time for me so thank you.

AnonymousMouse
on August 4th, 2010

I am so sad to see you go! You are my favorate blogger!!!

Elizabeth
on August 4th, 2010

Oh MAN, that was funny! Especially the sad, lonely cow reference.

Elizabeth

Brooke
on August 4th, 2010

I have to say the first thing I noticed on this blog was the shadow picture. I said “GO LUNA MARIE!!!!”

Beverly
on August 4th, 2010

Reading your blog has been like having a conversation with a friend – humorous and enlightening all at the same time! Thanks for divulging the details of your take on motherhood.

I applaud any woman who truly attempts nursing their child. I nursed my little one and really feel I deserve a medal or something! My goal was to make it through the first year. We ended up going 17 months! (Although once she reached 13 months, her feedings dropped to bedtime only, mostly because mommy began a part-time job.) She ended up quitting me and as much as I thought I would be relieved that I was no longer her milk machine, I was sad that our one-on-one time was over. Funny enough, months later she told me she wanted “boobie” as we referred to it, and I was like, sorry, mija, that well is dry.

Can’t wait to read your posts on your own personal blog. Keep up the great writing!

JMO
on August 4th, 2010

Thanks Constance for your wonderful blogs and for sharing lovely photos and stories of your baby girl!! She’s beautiful. And all the best to you!

Lorelai
on August 4th, 2010

aww what a wonderful good bye blog!!! I really really enjoyed reading your stories, it is very refreshing to read honest stuff about a celebrity like you. I have a few things to say: 1. I am glad to notice in the 1st pic Luna Marie is no longer scared of her shadow!! she looks adorable! 2. Mad props for keeping it real, I mean, you seem like a very down to earth mom and a very easy person, I am glad you are still who you are and money & success did not change the real you. 3. I hope God keeps blessing you and your wonderful family. You are a great mom! I will visit your webpage, that’s for sure. Take care and good luck in everything you pursue. You both (Kent & you) will make of Luna Marie a wonderful caring human being. See you soon!

Elizabeth
on August 4th, 2010

Thank you so much for your honesty! I’m going through weaning (well I’m trying to actually start the process). I’m totally sad about the whole thing but she’ll be ONE in two weeks. You cheered me up (and teared me up) with #1 and #2! Thank you again and I will defintely visit your new blog.
Love you!

jessica
on August 4th, 2010

thanks for the extreamly valuable information you have provided us!!! super excited about your personal blog!!!

Kimberly
on August 4th, 2010

You always brighten my day, Constance! LOVE your blogs. You can write about a topic without making anyone feel bad – you always lift us up. Thank you!

Kristine
on August 4th, 2010

Thank you for the blogs you’ve shared with us readers 🙂
I absolutely love this topic, once I became pregnant I made it my goal to breastfeed my baby, so much that I wouldn’t even consider the word formula in my vocabulary LOL!
Fastforward almost 2 years later and I am still breastfeeding my almost 2 year old boy! YES I know- how do I do it and is it too much?!!!
I’ve tried weaning him off and it is just so heartbreaking and I hate that I will have to let go of that bonding time but yes his time has come and I just hope he and I can make it through LOL. With that in mind, I would do it all over again, breasfreeding pros give yourselves a pat in the back :D!

Elisabeth
on August 4th, 2010

I breastfed my daughter almost 16 months – until she was ready to drop that last feed. And experienced the hurdles of mastitis, cracked nipples and engorgement. I want back to work after three months and hugged my pump! Between meetings, in airport lounges and even in the toilet in the plane on long haul bsuienss trips. The stock in the freezer (built up in the third month by ‘tricking my body in an additional feed’ which I pumped, was my saviour for longer business trips. My daughter was exclusively breastfed and she is a very happy, confident and healthy tot now. It takes a lot of effort and determination and I know it is not possible for everyone, but I am proud that my daughter and I made this journey together!

KM
on August 4th, 2010

When I had my daughter 7 years ago in Santa Monica, CA, I too worked with the pros from the Pump Station. I went to the classes they had with other mom’s when my daughter was 3 weeks old. What a lifesaver they were. They taught me the “football hold” in nursing to make it easier since I had a C-section, and were there to help transition to a more regular hold once I was feeling better. I, like you, thought I would give breastfeeding a try for 3 months. My daughter on the other hand had other ideas. She refused to take a bottle. No matter what we did, she wouldn’t do it. I felt like I was always on a mad dash because I was the only one who could feed my daughter (every 2 hours mind you!!), it was frustrating at times, but I tried to focus more on the positive side of it, that she needed me and it was my job to be there for her. When I went back to work after 5 months, god bless the lady who watched her, because she would actually spoon feed my breast milk to her. I ended up breastfeeding for 15 months. I was sad when I stopped and shocked I lasted as long as I did. My daughter is in great health, never had an ear infection, and is of course very smart :)!!!! Do I attribute some of this to my commitment to breastfeeding her… you bet!!! Unfortunetly my ordeal with breastfeeding and my daughters refusal to take a bottle scared 3 of my friends off of breastfeeding. However, if I have another baby someday, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

Kelly
on August 4th, 2010

Thanks for the wonderful blog! It is so great to hear stories you can relate to. I knew I wanted to breastfeed when I found out I was expecting, but I was not prepared in the least bit for how diffucult it would be. Through all the difficulties and ups and downs I’m glad I stayed with it. I nursed my son for 14 months and even went back to work full time. I drug that pump with me every day to work, but to me it was all worth it.

Luz
on August 4th, 2010

Thank you Constance Marie!
I really enjoyed reading your blog each week.
I seriously looked forward to it. And thank you for sharing all your experiences, that really does help me as I am soon to be a first time Mommy too.
I will be checking out your blog on your website!!

Holly
on August 4th, 2010

I’m a lot like you. I’m crazy passionate, crazy dramatic, and I am a staunch perfectionist. I knew I was going to breastfeed when I was pregnant, and I read up on it, went to LLL meetings, and when my little girl was born, I nuzzled her to my breast and thought that that would be it.

But sadly, I didn’t make enough milk. I didn’t make any, in fact. I have breast hypoplasia, which means that when I was going through puberty, my breasts didn’t mature. No one could offer me advice, or how to fix it. Everyone just told me, “Give up. It’s what’s best. Formula’s not all that bad.”

I, of course, listened. And went through a horrible depression, and felt the same way as you: “What if she doesn’t love me anymore?” Of course, she does still love me. But I feel like the trials and tribulations I’ve gone through as a nursing mother made me MORE of a breastfeeding advocate. I mean, I tried AS HARD AS I COULD. I gave it literally my all. Right down to the 1 am pumping jobs watching bad TV reruns and feeling like a cow.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is Way to Go, momma Constance! You are a truly wonderful woman! I’ve enjoyed your blog, and it’s been so nice to see someone in Hollywood truly do what they can for their baby and to get to see the thought processes behind it. I’m confident that in another life, we would have been BFFs! 🙂

AW
on August 4th, 2010

Constance Marie, thank you sharing your experience; Luna Marie is beautiful little girl. I’ve nursed both my children for 2.5 yrs. It’s was hard to let-go when my both kids and I were ready too.

Jessica
on August 4th, 2010

I wish you were not stopping the blog, you’re my favorite blogger! I took Corky’s Breastfeeding class two weeks and I saw that video too! So cool! She is sooo knowledgeable. At least I know that if I have any problems BFing I’ll know it’s normal. 🙂 Thank you so much for all the tips and stories, they are much appreciated. AND I swear I didn’t steal your name but my baby girl that is due Sept. 7th will be named Luna Isabelle. 😀 Pure coincidence, I swear. But you have great taste. 😉

Lourdes
on August 4th, 2010

Thank You for keeping it real.. Every single post made me laugh and cry.. I am also a Pro-breastfeeding mom.. My daughter is almost 19 months old and she still nurses. The tought of not having that special time with her makes me cry.. I didn’t have a hard time breastfeeding thanks to my friends who helped me get through the curling toes days.. It was difficult with going back to work after 10 weeks of giving birth, a boss who didn’t think it was a good idea of pumping in the office & those sleepless nights, but almost 19 months later my daughter is healthy, happy, thriving and the most beautiful girl in the world (I”m her mom, i can say that? It has been worth it.. Again … Thank You for all those wonderful stories,I will follow you on your new web site..

Mary
on August 4th, 2010

I, like you, had to start supplementing with formula at 10 months and was so sad about it! But I knew I could no longer keep up with my baby’s needs. I just had to keep reminding myself that it was wonderful that I had made it that long! My daughter just turned one, so I nursed her for the last time a week ago. I am so sad that that special time is over, but hopefully I will get to experience it again with future children. Thank you for your honest blogging and being a realistic champion for breastfeeding!

yolanda
on August 4th, 2010

Such a sweet sweet blog. Its great to see that I am not alone in the breastfeeding woes. 🙂 I love it and I really wanted to continue it. With my first pregnancy, I had a huge blood loss with tons of complications that made it difficult for a supply. So I had to supplement and eventually weaned him off the boob. 2nd, he is now 4 months old and had same pregnancy problems and couldnt get supply in. So we are in the process of weaning him off. I let him use my boobs as a pacifier cause it seems thats all i can do for him.

robinepowell
on August 4th, 2010

Constance shouldn’t feel bad, she did for a lot longer then some moms do, not to mention there are some moms who chose not to.

Constance should also keep in mind that if people adopt a baby, obviously they’re not going to breast feed either. 😉

Lara
on August 4th, 2010

Great post!

Quick point though mamas: Breastfeeding does not have to be an all or nothing relationship! I cannot pump enough at work, so I supplement with formula at daycare for my 6 month old son, and sometimes at home. I will probably stop pumping at 1 year, and still nurse when we are together. I nursed my daughter until 19 months, and will hopefully nurse him as long.

So if you and the baby still want to nurse, you can continue to, even if you aren’t making enough. Just supplement the extra..any BM and the bonding is worth it!

Brookie
on August 4th, 2010

OMG Constance- I’m going to miss you! Your blogs have been so much fun, I feel like we should do lunch or something! I also held out as long as I could with breastfeeding and was disappointed when I had to stop at 8 weeks, but the BEST advice I was ever given when pregnant (last time and this time), is that as parents- “We do the best we can with what we have”. And that’s all we can do 🙂 Best of luck to you, Kent, and Luna Marie! BEAUTIFUL family!

TSL
on August 4th, 2010

Great blog! I always enjoy reading your blogs and am so sad that you’re leaving us. I never for once thought about not breastfeeding my son even though I had no idea what I was getting myself into. After a natural delivery (with epidural since I have no pain tolerance) my milk didn’t come in til the 6th day! My poor little man was starving and with the nurse’s recommendation I started supplementing him with formula through a lactation device (which was frustrating to use). That wasn’t the only problem I had. Nursing was PAINFUL to start. Beside the engorged breasts and bleeding nipples, I had blogged ducts left right and center. It was a miracle that I didn’t get mastitis! I kid you not nursing was difficult til he was about 4 months old. Within that first 4 months my hubby saw me in pain constantly and urged me to consider giving up nursing for my own sanity. My stubborn self was just not willing to give up such a wonderful experience that is sooo good for my son’s health. On top of that I went back to work when he was 3 months old and my daily routine involved pumping 7-8 oz after nursing him in the morning to empty my breasts and pumped another 6-8 oz while I was having lunch at work! Talking about dairy queen huh? I gave myself 6 months at first and when 6 months mark came and went…I wasn’t ready to give up. He continued to enjoy nursing and I got more and more into it. Then he turned 1 and I was like…should we stop? But we were still enjoying that bond so I decided…what the heck…let’s just continue. Then came one day when he was 14 months and I felt that we’re both ready to move on. Instead of nursing him first thing in the morning, I decided to serve him breakfast first and whoa la! just like that he was done and that was the end of our nursing journey. Looking back I had no regrets and will do it all over again second time around. It is sooo worth it knowing that my son is healthy and happy and I won’t trade that experience for the world!

Electra
on August 4th, 2010

I really enjoyed your blogs and wish your family the best!

Traci
on August 4th, 2010

Constance, thank you so much for your blogs. I’ve never been a fan of blogs, but yours have been SO much fun!:) Every one makes me smile, and I look so forward to reading them when I see CBB has a new one up:)

You have a beautiful family. Congratulations:) and have a wonderful life;)

LIZ MARTINI
on August 4th, 2010

Hurray for breastfeeding! I nursed my older one until he was over 2 yrs. old and am currently nursing my 18 mnth. old. When I went back to work I would pump as many times as it took to get the ounces they needed for the day. Long,tough journey but totally worth it. I thought my older one would never give it up but one day he just didn’t want it anymore. They don’t get sick, started walking and talking early and are very healthy. i like to think that some of that is in part to the breastfeeding. It is amazing when you read about it, how breastfeeding benefits them. I believe that every woman should at least try but I know many woman who really tried and were unable, for different reasons, to nurse. I think it’s great that there is a breastfeeding awareness month and I hope that new moms can find the support they need to be able to breastfeed.

svp
on August 4th, 2010

So sad to see you go! I have been eagerly checking for new posts from you every week and I will continue to do so at your website!

My breastfeeding experience was a lot like yours, was not sure about it pre-pregnancy, got my hands on everything I could during pregnancy, thought I’d only do three months, then six, then thought, well it’s going so well, why stop now? Then, shortly before my son’s first birthday, I suddenly realized that we were done. I was terribly sad about it but my son was ok and I realized that there were other ways of maintaining that closeness.

Thank you for writing so honestly about this wacky journey of motherhood. I have enjoyed and appreciated your refreshing and relatable insights and look forward to your posts at your website.

Nicole J L
on August 4th, 2010

Love the blogs, you tell it like it is. Nice to see that celebrities are just like the rest of us and face the same challenges and joys with all this “new mom” stuff!! Best of luck with the upcoming “terrible two” challenges. Lot’s more fun ahead!!

sun97keyvol
on August 4th, 2010

I very rarely read anyones blogs but I have to say Constance did a great job. I hope she continues to blog on here. The only thing i wanted to say about the breastfeeding blog was that my milk came down faster when my baby actually drank from my boob. I had a great pump, the medela but putting my baby to the boob made my milk come down way faster.

Darcy
on August 4th, 2010

Thank you for this blog!! I guess I should be an actress too because I am just as dramatic. My son was born 7 weeks early and spent a couple of weeks in the hospital’s NICU. I had always planned to breastfeed but his early arrival threw a wrench into things. Because he was a preemie, he couldn’t even suckle a bottle at first, let alone a breast! He had to be taught! Still, I was determined. I took to that pump like I was in boobie boot camp (which is a great term you used by the way). I laughed, knowingly, as I read about you at 1:30AM listening to the whoosh whoosh of the pump. Sometimes I was up so late and felt so tired that I almost convinced myself that the whoosh sound was forming an actual word! Call it sleep deprived dimentia.

But anyway, back to when my son was in the NICU. For a brief moment in the hospital, the doctor suggested supplimenting with formula because I wasn’t pumping enough. My heart sank. For my son’s benefit, I allowed it. But I went back to pumping with a fury. I always read, the more you breastfeed, the more you pump, the better your milk comes in. And it was true! By the time my son learned to suckle on his own, I was producing more than the ounces he needed. After a month, if you looked in my freezer, I had extra milk stored in baggies between the ice-cream and the popsicles. And within 6 weeks, I got him off the bottle and onto the breast directly. Success!!! Now I could have the closeness of breastfeeding and still pump to keep up my supply.

I also had to return to work so I breastfed when we were together and I would provide pumped milk in bottles to the babysitter. I made it to my 3 month goal, which I then extended to 6 months. Made it to that, and I extended my goal again to 9 months. Then to a year. At 11 months though, we hit a bump in the road when my son had weaned himself off of the breast. The pediatrician explained that if I want to continue breastfeeding, I have to discontinue using bottles completely. My son had figured out that bottles were easier. The milk flows quicker. I couldn’t do that. I have to work. So I was depressed … but determined nonetheless. What mattered most was the health benefits of the breast milk … so if I had to pump it, then so be it.

Long story still very long … my son is 18 months old now. I’m still pumping. I think 8 more years should suffice … just kidding. I’m still pumping but now that he’s bypassed the age of formula and is also fully enjoying solid foods … I am cutting back on the pumping and mixing in cow’s milk. 5 ounces breast milk to 3 ounces cow’s milk twice a day. He is the healthiest, funniest, most lovable boy I know. If God blesses me with any more children, it’s back into boobie boot camp I go! Happily!

Dmama
on August 4th, 2010

Love your blog, has helped me more then you think, thanks! Now on the breast feeding your blog made me tear up, I just went through the same thing with my 8 month old son my milk just went down down down even with suppliments. Finally I had to come to the realization that my body was done even though I wasn’t, I felt so sad. BUT my husband made me realize that I had done it for 8months gave it my best and we have a handsome healthy son!! can’t wait to go to your site and read more!

Sabrina Amato
on August 4th, 2010

Hi Constance! Your blogs are great!! I too am a breastfeeding mother and have been for the past 18mos.So I guess you can say I am in it for the long haul. My daughter scarlett knew exactly what she was born to do. It is very primal! as you put it. But, the funny thing is I am scared too..but, not about the starting but the stopping. It is such as bonding experience and scarlett gets so happy to breastfeed, that it tears my heart to think about the day we are going to have to stop. I know this day will be soon, because I do feel like a “dairy queen” and although she only breastfeeds 2x per day max. It is still a lot of work to continue. The other difficult thing for a long term breastfeeder like myself, my daughter refuses to drink whole milk, so I have to supplement with cheese, yogurt, etc. I hope when the day comes I can have enough strength like yourself to do the same. At least, I know scarlett has been given everything she needs and more.
Thanks for the motivation!

Sandy
on August 4th, 2010

Constance, I so much love your blog. Sorry to hear you won’t be blogging for People anymore but will follow you at your website. I didn’t get the chance to breastfeed with my son but with my daughter it was a wonderful experience. Like you boobies gave up at around 10 months but it was a wonderful thing while it lasted.

Linda
on August 4th, 2010

The Pump Station and Corky saved me too! Isn’t see just amazing?! So nice to hear real stories of how great and hard bf-ing is! Thanks!

Alisha
on August 4th, 2010

Wow.. I can so relate to everything you are saying. I am a new mom and breastfeeding has been a crazy experience for me. 2 weeks ago I was trying to give it up all together because my baby wasn’t gaining enough weight and I was beside myself. Since then it’s like a light went off in his little head and he’s ready to go. He’s gained lots of weight and doing great. Still not sleeping stretches throughout the night but I am hoping that light will go off for him soon enough. I really enjoyed this blog. Take care

fuzibuni
on August 4th, 2010

I’ll miss your posts here! your articles are always real, funny, smart, and empathetic.
Glad you will be continuing the blog on your own website!

Liz
on August 4th, 2010

What a great read! It is so wonderful to read about other peoples breastfeeding struggles. I struggle everyday to have enough for my daughter and no matter how hard I try and how much I do, each day my supply gets lower and lower. It is heartbreaking. I want to keep breastfeeding so bad but my dairy shop is running out:(

Tiffany
on August 4th, 2010

I’m a nursing, working mother. Reading this made me laugh and cry. You hit the nail on the head in describing a lot of the issues, concerns, problems, and joys that come along with breastfeeding. Thank you for sharing.

shannon
on August 4th, 2010

I have enjoyed these so much. THANK YOU for sharing your personal experiences with us.

Terri
on August 4th, 2010

Your blog was so awesome! Thank you. It gives future moms like me a lot of insight.

Sarah
on August 4th, 2010

Aww I am so sad that this is your last blog! I love reading about your stories. My husband and I are just getting to the point of “trying” for children and I love reading up on what I have to look forward to :). I will definately check out your website! Thanks so much for all your advice!!

Patrice
on August 4th, 2010

I love reading your blogs. I sit here at my desk during lunch and laugh at each and every one of them! I too had a hard time with breastfeeding. I can’t remember why, but for some reason, they didn’t put Aryanna on my chest afterwards. When I finally did get her, I tried to breastfeed and she just would not latch…she was actually fighting to not get on the boob…I was sad. I was looking forward to breastfeeding. The hospital had sent a lactation nurse in to help me with getting her to latch…but, she was just forcing Ary to latch. I didn’t like that. So, I decided to just pump. That lasted all of three weeks. I was getting discouraged that my boobs were not producing milk…So, I went to formula. She is now a healthy, 17-month-old! Hopefully next time, I will be able to breastfeed my next baby! Looking forward to reading your blog on your webpage!

Sarah
on August 4th, 2010

Constance: I love what you said, “I went through such a weird sadness…” I felt the same way with each of my kids when I stopped nursing them. I just had to replace one form of closeness/bond with another form: extra cuddle time, bedtime stories, etc.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog here about your journey so far as a Mom. Even though my kids are now 9 yrs. old and 12 yrs. old, their babyhood is never too far from my memory.

Good luck on your new blog and your Hallmark tv movie–I will definitely check both of them out. And of course, we continue watching the “George Lopez” show on Nick at Nite most evenings.

Take care and Happy Birthday in advance! 🙂

Tainah
on August 4th, 2010

Hi Constance!
I read your blog every week since the #1 and I will definetly check your own blog!
Here in Brazil breastfeed it’s so natural, every woman that I know, that had a baby, nursed.
I think it’s awesome that you shared your story to inspire other womens that don’t have much interest or want to give up, cause as you’ve said, it’s hard too, but we have to be perseverant.
See you and your beautiful family in your blog!
Congrats!!
Tainah.

dd
on August 4th, 2010

Leave it to hospitals and pediatricians to screw things up for Constance. 1. You do not have to pump at the hospital to get your milk to come in “faster.” Milk takes up to five days to come in, and before then your baby needs nothing but colostrum to survive. It is NORMAL for babies to lose up to ten percent of their birth weight- they were born with this extra weight to hold them over while they wait for mom’s milk to come in. The most effective way to get milk to come in at all is to let the baby nurse on demand ALL day and ALL night. So moms who send their babies to the nursery overnight to get formula are just delaying their own milk and may be sabotaging their supply and their babies’ ability to nurse. 2. Babies do not need to latch on right away. It can take days for them to learn to latch, especially after epidurals. Again, their extra birth weight holds them over. 3. Babies do not NEED to be gaining a set amount of weight. As they become more active they stop gaining weight at the pace they had been. As long as they show signs of growth they are fine. Pediatricians also often use formula-fed weight charts to measure breastfed babies, which skews the measurements.

crg
on August 4th, 2010

They wanted you to supplement with formula before even leaving the hospital? First of all, all babies lose weight after birth and second, your milk doesn’t usually come in until a couple of days after the baby is born, and babies are naturally designed to roll with this. I think this is why so many people say that they “didn’t produce enough”, etc. The people who are “working” with them are totally giving them misinformation.

Amy in Oregon
on August 5th, 2010

I was happy to see your blog was about how “Pro”breastfeeding you became! I was very insistent on nursing my first child and was so lucky that nursing went off without a hitch for us….well, mostly! My breasts wouldn’t respond to a pump at all. They wouldn’t “let down” any milk so as much as I wanted to be able to have daddy give her some breast milk from a bottle once in a while, I was just out of luck. I ended up nursing my daughter for 2 and a half years and four years after she was born I had a wonderful experience nursing my son for 3 more years!!!
I am currently pregnant again and looking forward to the wonderful experience of nursing this baby too, I am trying not to get overly confident about nursing this time just because it has gone so well for me in the past…anything can happen!

Sara
on August 5th, 2010

I couldn’t agree more with what dd said!

I’ve been nursing non-stop for nearly 5.5 years and will soon start with baby #3 (due in 4 weeks), and it always makes me so sad to hear stories of women who had issues with breastfeeding since it’s often so obvious that most of those issues exist because of mismanagement and misinformation. 😦

MiB
on August 5th, 2010

I am more and more starting to understand why I hear about so many american women having problems breast feeding. Where I come from breastfeeding is seen as something normal, and everyone seems to know that babies loose a bit of weight (or may not be interested in nursing for the first day or two) the first couple of days and need to nurse on demand when they are hungry. New mothers here have plenty of people to ask for advice if they experience problems like sore breasts, cracked nipples or mastitis or if their babies don’t seem to latch on properly, and anyone can go to the midwife with their breast feeding problems if they chose to. There are plenty of women who can help finding the right position of baby and body, and who have tips on how to feed a distracted nurser (a friend of mine usually nursed standing up while swaying her hips from side to side and cradling her baby under a blanket, the baby was very easily distracted, and this seemed to work best for her). I think it’s great that the opinion of breast feeding is changing to become more positive again, you breastfeeding mamas in America are pioneers in changing the opinion back to a positive one (weather you have done it for years or just made an effort to do so but didn’t get it to work). Keep up the good work!

B
on August 5th, 2010

I went through the same thing with my 2nd baby. I did not have a good experience with my 1st and breastfeeding, but stuck to it for as long as I could. With my 2nd I fell in love with it and was able to do it for 7months and that is when my boobs decided they were done.It was difficult, but then I realized that I was only trying to nurse her so we could have that close connection and because I had become so attached to it, she didn’t need to keep nursing, she would be fine. It’s wonderful to know that I am not the only one who went through that.
Thank you for sharing, it is truly refreshing.

Michelle
on August 5th, 2010

Great Blog! I’m sorry it will be your last. I do have to put my two cents in about the scheduling of feeding though. I think you loosing your milk supply may have had to do with the fact that breastfed babies are not ment to be put on a schedule. Breastfed babies (and formula for that matter) are supposed to be fed on demand. That means feed them when they are hungry regardless of the time. Maybe one day she’s hungry after one hour and the other after two. How would you feel if your meals were always scheduled and you could only eat at permitted times? Watch your baby, not the clock.

Sara
on August 5th, 2010

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for writing this!

Much like you, I was just trying to see how breastfeeding went (setting a 3-month goal, then a 6-month goal, etc.), and now I’ve become a junkie. I’ve been doing it exclusively for a little over 13 months now, and over the last couple of weeks, I’ve started to realize that it’s time to wean because my body just can’t handle the demand anymore. I’ve been feeling that strange sadness about it, just like you described it. I didn’t have anyone to turn to because the few women I know who breastfed either hated it or just quit at a set date without looking back; they didn’t seem to get it when I would try to bring up how big of a change it was for me. I even had a couple of people tell me I was crazy (their word) if I went longer than a year with breastfeeding. Now, not only was I going through something difficult, but people thought I was nuts for putting myself in that position in the first place. It just added more mixed emotion to the sadness I was feeling about weaning.

What you wrote is exactly what I needed to read. That it’s okay to wean, that my daughter will be fine, and so will I. It’s still going to be hard when I finally do it, but I think reading this has helped me to embrace the change.

So again, thank you! The timing of this post could not have been more perfect for me.

Can’t wait to catch your new movie, and follow you on your new blog! It’s been such a pleasure reading your stories.

eva
on August 5th, 2010

I love your blogs…. The same hormone that helps push the milk out (oxytocin) is the same hormone that helps in extension during child birth and also contraction after child birth.. Thats how the vagina goes back to normal.. Hence you feeling like ur uterus was shrinking. Good Luck with everything!

Christie
on August 5th, 2010

I am sad to see you go Constance. I have enjoyed your blogs as I am a first time mom to a 4 1/2 month old. Thanks for sharing your breastfeeding story. Your little girl is adorable! I also have to add that I loved you on George Lopez, I still watch the reruns every night, sometimes while pumping, ironically! 😉 Blessings to you and your family!

Karla
on August 5th, 2010

Hey Constance, I’ve enjoyed your blogs very much & love the way you are. You are so pretty, nice & extremely responsible & loving. I think that by reading your blogs, you do more than enough for Luna Marie. I’m sure she’ll appreciate everything you’ve done for her & you’ve helped many Mom’s throughout the nation. Keep up your awesome work as an Actress, Wife & Mother, you’re the best. Take care & God bless you!

Gina
on August 5th, 2010

My babies are 32 and 23 years old. Your stories brought back memories of when my boys were young. That overwhelming rush of love for them, the immenseness of it all, the terror, the ick. You made me laugh out loud. Thank you. Enjoy your baby, they grow up so very fast.

Amber
on August 6th, 2010

Hmm, wonder if more women would breastfeed if they knew they didn’t have to go back to work in 6 weeks.. And seriously people, there is nothing wrong with giving your baby formula. A lot of women get on a crazy power trip with their breastfeeding because it may be the one thing they had control of in their lives.

Mandi
on August 7th, 2010

So, my experience with breastfeeding wasn’t as long as I would have liked, but worth the 5 mos I was able to put into it. My sister bought me the book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. I’m so happy I read it before I had my daughter because it was seriously a lifesaver. I had to have a c-section, so within minuets of her being born she was taken to the nursery. I didn’t get her back for 2 hours & I kind of felt detached, like I was holding a random child. The nurse asked which I wanted to do, bottle or breastfeed. I said breastfeed & she lifted up my shirt & latched my daughter on. It was pretty awkward & surreal, but it really helped me bond with her. In the 4 days I was in the hospital, she was only in the nursery twice & they were both for no longer than a couple of hours. Well, I thought that since I was breastfeeding, I would be able to talk to a lactation consultant almost immedately. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The nurses kept telling me she was coming, but in the mean time I should pump to bring my milk in faster, then my daughter lost 9 oz within a couple of days, so they told me I should start supplementing with formula before she dropped more weight & the doctor forced me to. By the 3rd day of my 4 day stay in the hospital, my milk had come in & everything was fine, then in walks the lacation consultant. The conversation was short & I had no problems with nursing for the first 2 months until I went back to work. I attempted to pump enough to start bottlefeeding her breastmilk, but that worked out horribly. So I nursed while at home & supplemented formula while at work. It worked really well at first then around the 5th month my supply just took a nose dive. I knew that I had gone much longer than I anticipated, but I still felt like I failed. If I could do it over again, I wouldn’t be so quick to supplement formula & I would hold off on pumping.

jlea
on August 7th, 2010

Constance,

You are so inspirational! Thank you so much for having the guts to talk about what matters even if it’s not the popular thing to do. I appreciate that you have done so much research on the things you discuss, you don’t just take someone else’s “word for it” or do things because that’s what “they” tell us to do. And the best thing is that you don’t do what’s easy and convenient like so many people in this country do, you do what’s truly best for Luna Marie. Your love for her is obvious and true and she will one day understand how much you have sacrificed for her! I am now a fan of yours forever! Thanks for sharing!

Lola Marie1
on August 7th, 2010

Constance I LOVED your blogs. They were funny and heart warming and you were so open and honest about your experiences, which was so refreshing! I’m so sad to see you go 😦

If you ever give up acting you’d have a wonderful career as a blogger 🙂

Thank you for sharing Luna Marie with us these past few weeks. She is absolutely adorable and obviously has an awesome little personality. Good luck to you and God bless you and your family.

fatsblasco
on August 9th, 2010

I have never responded to a blog, ever! But your blogs were engaging, funny and so honest. I am a mom of a 2 yr old and I so relate to your struggles. I breastfed my daughter until she was 8 months. When she was 6 months, I went back to work full time. The first day, she took the bottle with breast milk but on the second day she stopped eating. My husband had to rush her to the MD and she had to have an IV because she was dehydrated. I tried to rush to the MD when they were there but I couldn’t get there in time. The guilt was overwhelming and i seriously thought about quitting my job but quitting wasn’t an option. When I got home, she was waiting for me and took to my breast immediately. She was fine after that. At 8 months, I caught the flu and had to be on anti-biotics so my doctor told me I couldn’t breast feed while I was on the anti-biotics. By the time I finished with the meds my daughter was on formula full time. Part of me was relieved because my daughter had teeth early and she frequently bit me. It felt like razors going over my nipples. Ouch! But the other part of me grieved the loss of breastfeeding my child. After I had gone back to work, feeding time was mommy and baby time and quiet time. I missed that.

I think that the best part of your blog is that you have been able to engage people to participate in a forum that deals with real new mother issues. I was engaged and I don’t engage online, believe me. I appreciate that you shared your personal struggles so publicly and that the public shared their struggles in response to you. So thank you and everybody else who posted for unknowingly validating my experience as a new mom and hopefully, by posting, I hope I have done the same.

Katie
on August 10th, 2010

I really wished there were more true stories out there when I had my first. I read the books and thought I was prepared, boy was I wrong!!! It was one of the hardest things to balance being a Mom and learning to nurse. I never knew how exhausted I would be and how much I could resent my husband who would be snoring next to me while I nursed. It was difficult but very rewarding. I made short goals for myself and when I reached one, I would make another to nurse for another 6 weeks. It made it easier to get through the hardest part of nursing.

I now have four kids and have nursed them each longer than the other. My first was nursed for 7 months, second for 9 months, third for 18 months and the last for 22 months.

Natalie
on August 10th, 2010

Thanks so much! really enjoyed your Blogs! I’m SOO PRO-BREASTFEEDING! My husband tells women at parties and gatherings that if they have a child they should breastfeed, he became a bit obsessed as well! LOL. Will check-out your next projects. Luna Marie is beautiful as always.

Kate
on August 10th, 2010

Constance, your blog posts have totally been some of the best I’ve ever read.
Seriously.
Thought-provoking, educational, inspiring while still being encouraging, and funny. Thank you so much.

I was initially so upset to read this one, as it looked like you were stopping blogging! (Made me realize how good you are that I was that upset!) and then I saw at the end that you’re still blogging – just somewhere else. I’ll be following. 🙂